- A Church Divided Over Its Leaders – 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 (2/3/2020) - It is sad and unfortunate when the church is divided. Especially when the division is over allegiance to individuals rather than to Jesus.
- The Power of the Cross – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (8/17/2020) - It is through the message of the cross that the power of God works in the lives of believers. The cross truly is good news for us.
- The Message of the Cross – 1 Corinthians 1:21 (1/4/2018) - In God's wisdom, he chose the message of the cross. An offense to the world, but life to those who believe.
- Christ Crucified: the Power and Wisdom of God – 1 Cor. 1:22-24 (12/14/2022) - Some demand miracles. Others want logical proof. But the crucified Christ demonstrates the power and wisdom of God.
- What God Has Done for Us? – 1 Corinthians 1:30 (1/20/2021) - We should be careful about feeling proud as believers. Who I am as a believer is really all about what God has done in my life.
- The Wisdom of God: Destined for Our Glory – 1 Corinthians 2:7 (9/22/2021) - The focus of God's plan for his creation was the redemption that comes through the crucified Jesus. A plan that was destined for our glory.
- The Holy Spirit, our Translator – 1 Corinthians 2:11-12 (1/5/2018) - God has graciously provided us with the Holy Spirit to help us to understand what he has given us as well as how to live for him.
- Understanding Spiritual Truths – 1 Corinthians 2:14 (5/5/2022) - The things of the spiritual world are foreign to me as a human. But God's Spirit, living with me, helps me to understand spiritual truths.
- Co-workers in God’s Service – 1 Corinthians 3:9-10 (6/1/2023) - Regardless of where you live or the tradition you come from, as believers in the Lord Jesus, we are all co-workers in God's service.
- Building on the Foundation of Christ – 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (1/6/2018) - As a believer, build your life on the foundation of Christ with materials that will last. How you build today will impact your eternity.
- Together, We Are God’s Temple – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (5/8/2022) - All true believers join together in producing God's temple. We should be careful that we do nothing to cause division in the body of Christ.
- Being a Trusted Steward – 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (2/1/2016) - Jesus is my Lord, who has entrusted me with a task. And it is expected that I will prove to be a trusted steward.
- Faithful Stewardship – 1 Corinthians 4:2 (1/8/2018) - As believers, we have been entrusted with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And we need to exercise faithful stewardship of that trust.
- Leave Judgment to the Lord- 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 (5/9/2022) - And God has called each of us to serve in different ways. We are answerable to him, not each other. So, leave judgment to the Lord.
- Who Makes You Different – 1 Corinthians 4:7 (1/21/2019) - We are all equipped in different ways to serve within the body of Christ. Rather than look at others, serve in the way you are gifted.
- The Power of the Kingdom – 1 Corinthians 4:20 (12/17/2022) - The power of the kingdom of God is most commonly demonstrated in the changed lives of those who have committed themselves to Jesus as Lord.
- The Danger of a Little Yeast – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (5/10/2022) - Sin in my life is like yeast, starting off little, but growing over time. Don't give the devil a foothold by accepting sin in your life.
- Church Discipline – 1 Corinthians 5:11 (1/9/2018) - While it is hard, sometimes church discipline is necessary. Both to stress the seriousness of the matter, and to cleanse sin from the body.
- Washed, Sanctified, and Justified – 1 Corinthians 6:11 (1/28/2019) - As those who have been washed, sanctified and justified, it is only appropriate that we live the rest of our lives here seeking to honor and serve the one who made that possible. Dare to live the rest of your life set apart in service to the king. Praise God for his indescribable gift.
- Honor God With Your Body – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (1/10/2018) - As a believer, I am called to honor God with all that I am, including my body and activities. Live as though he were with you all the time.
- Contentment in Life – 1 Corinthians 7:24 (1/11/2018) - Regardless of the situation you are in, be content. Contentment in life allows us to invest in the future that God is preparing us for.
- Knowledge Puffs Up; Love Builds Up – 1 Cor. 8:1-3 (11/30/2022) - Rather than be judgmental about non-core beliefs, demonstrate love. Knowledge can puff up a person, but love builds other up.
- One God and One Lord – 1 Corinthians 8:6 (12/20/2022) - As Christians, we have one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus. Together with the Holy Spirit, they are the triune God we worship and serve.
- A Stumbling Block to the Weak – 1 Corinthians 8:9 (1/12/2018) - As Christians, there are many things that we are free to do. But don't be a stumbling block that leads another believer to sin.
- Compelled to Serve – 1 Corinthians 9:16 (8/11/2021) - Imagine what the church would be like today if each of us felt compelled to serve, using the gifts God has given us for the common good.
- Run to Get the Prize – 1 Corinthians 9:24 (1/13/2018) - Like runners training for a race, as believers, we need to persevere in our faith. Run to get the prize at the end.
- Examples and Warnings – 1 Corinthians 10:11 (5/17/2022) - There is much we can learn from the Old Testament. Especially, to heed the warnings not to follow the examples of those who disobeyed God.
- The Problem of Overconfidence – 1 Corinthians 10:12 (7/27/2020) - Paul's warning against overconfidence is important today. It is too easy for us to be dependent on self and, as a result, fall into sin.
- Resisting Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13 (1/14/2018) - God does not leave me alone in dealing with temptation. He knows what I am capable of. And he always provides a way to escape.
- Do All Things for the Glory of God – 1 Corinthians 10:31 (2/11/2019) - How do I know if something glorifies God or not? For instance, when I go out for a run in the morning, is God glorified? That can be hard to answer. But I try and imagine God being physically present with me in the activity; running down the road alongside me. Am I embarrassed to…
- Causing Others to Stumble – 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 (12/22/2022) - It is important for me to watch my life and words closely so that I do not cause other people to stumble and turn away from God.
- The Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (1/15/2018) - Regardless of how you might view the Lord's Supper, we should remember his death and look forward to his return as we share at his table.
- Different Kinds of Service – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (10/27/2021) - God has equipped all believers for service in the kingdom. But not all the same. There are different kinds of service that he has called us to.
- Spiritual Gifts: Given to the Body – 1 Corinthians 12:7 (1/16/2018) - As believers, each of us has been gifted to serve the rest of the body. Our spiritual gifts are not for us, but for the body.
- Equipped to Serve the Body – 1 Corinthians 12:11 (12/27/2022) - Every believer has been equipped by God to serve the body. And the body of Christ needs what you have been given. So be faithful to your call.
- Unity and Diversity in the Body – 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (5/19/2023) - The body of Christ is composed of a wide diversity of members, each with different functions. But together, we form a single unified body.
- A Part of the Body of Christ – 1 Corinthians 12:27 (4/22/2019) - If you are truly a child of God, then you are a part of the body of Christ. Be the body part you were called and equipped to be.
- Love: the Most Excellent Way – 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (1/17/2018) - There are many things we might strive after as believers. But love, the most excellent way, should be right at the top of the list.
- The Importance of Love – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (6/14/2022) - Having rights beliefs is good. Doing the right thing is good. And faithfully serving God is good. But they has value only if done in live.
- The Primacy of Love – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (10/13/2021) - This chapter makes clear the primacy and enduring nature of love. And this includes debates over doctrine. Do everything in love.
- Perfume and Pennies: Giving With Love – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (11/11/2013) - Jesus seems not to be as concerned with how much we give as he is with our motives. When we give with love, it is enough.
- Our Knowledge Is Incomplete at Best – 1 Corinthians 13:12 (8/18/2021) - Now we know in part, our knowledge of God and his activity is incomplete. But someday that will change and we can more fully understand him.
- Speak to Strengthen, Encourage, and Comfort – 1 Cor. 14:1-3 (5/21/2023) - Which spiritual gifts are best? The ones that enable you to speak in a way that would strengthen, encourage, and comfort others.
- Encouraging Speech – 1 Corinthians 14:19 (1/18/2018) - When we assemble together as the body of Christ, we should seek ways to be encouraging to each other, including our speech.
- Of First Importance – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 (5/22/2023) - The two most important commands are to love God and our neighbors. The two most important doctrines are the death and resurrection of Jesus.
- Hope in Christ – 1 Corinthians 15:19 (1/19/2018) - What is our hope in Christ? That this life is not all there is. That we will be resurrected into new and glorious bodies for eternity.
- The Resurrection of the Dead – 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (1/7/2023) - What happens after this life is over? As believers, we look forward to the resurrection of the dead, when we will be raised to new life.
- We Will All Be Changed – 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (5/24/2022) - Much is unknown and debated about the end. But what is most important is that Jesus is returning for us, and we will all be changed.
- Let Nothing Move You – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (1/20/2018) - Life can be hard. But believers in Christ Jesus have a hope that nothing can extinguish. So, stand firm in your faith; let nothing move you.
- A Great Door for Effective Work – 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (5/25/2022) - When God opens a door for effective service for you, be sure to enter it. Even if it involves hardship. Be wherever God has called you.
- Do Everything in Love – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (1/22/2018) - Be on guard, stand firm against our enemy. Be courageous and strong. But do so in love. Let love temper everything we do.
- Fight the Good Fight, With Love! – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (12/13/2013) - As believers in the Lord Jesus, we are engaged in a fight for the hearts and souls of men. But we need to be careful to do so with love.
The First Epistle to the Corinthians
Devotional readings from Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth.
